Increasing Use Of Internet Research Articles

Lifestyle factors associated with episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults: evidence from a 9-year longitudinal study

BackgroundEpisodic memory naturally deteriorates with age, and its deficits are widely recognized as the most significant feature and the most sensitive indicator of cognitive decline. It has been suggested that adopting a healthy lifestyle can play a protective role in preserving episodic memory. This study aimed to systematically examine the relationship between lifestyle factors (social activities, leisure activities, physical activities, internet use, smoking, alcohol drinking, and sleep quality) and episodic memory in middle-aged and older adults.MethodsThe current study included 10,392 participants from the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Survey. A linear mixed model was used to explore the associations between lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance and the age- and sex-specific effects of the association.ResultsLow-frequency alcohol drinking, higher engagement in social, leisure, and physical activities, increased internet use, and improved sleep quality were associated with better episodic memory performance in middle-aged and older adults. Stratified analyses demonstrated that internet use significantly correlated with episodic memory performance in middle-aged adults but not in older adults. On the other hand, sleep quality showed a significant association with episodic memory performance in women but not in men.ConclusionsThis study highlights the association between various lifestyle factors and episodic memory performance, with variations observed based on age and sex. Adopting healthy lifestyle factors can have positive effects on episodic memory in middle-aged adults, emphasizing the importance of adhering to healthy lifestyles from middle age onwards to counteract episodic memory decline.

The effect of internet use on the health of middle-aged and older adults: evidences from China general social survey

BackgroundAccording to the United Nations classification of aging societies, China is rapidly transitioning into a moderately aging society, facing significant challenges related to population aging. Concurrently, China is actively implementing the Internet Power Strategy and the Internet Plus action plan, which are profoundly transforming the daily lives of individuals, including their health status. However, research on the impact of internet use on the health of middle-aged and older adults has not reached a consensus. This study aims to investigate the effects of internet use on the health of middle-aged and older adults, as well as the mechanisms and heterogeneity of these effects.MethodsThis study utilized data from the China General Social Survey conducted in 2018, which includes a sample of 6470 individuals. Self-rated health, mental health, and objective health were used as key health indicators, with internet use identified as the primary independent variable. The study aims to analyze the impact of internet use on the health status of middle-aged and older adults through the application of an ordered probit model and instrumental variable methods.ResultsThe results indicate that internet use has a significant positive impact on the health of middle-aged and older adults, with significance at the 1% level. This finding has passed a series of robustness tests. Mechanism analysis reveals that information acquisition is a crucial mediating mechanism between internet use and the health of middle-aged and older adults. This suggests that increased internet use enhances information access, thereby improving health outcomes. Furthermore, heterogeneity analysis shows that the impact of internet use on health is more pronounced among individuals living in rural areas, western regions, low-income groups, and those aged under 60, compared to their counterparts in urban areas, eastern regions, higher-income brackets, and those aged 60 and above.ConclusionInternet use can improve the health of middle-aged and older adults. Therefore, government departments, senior universities, communities, and families should collaborate to actively conduct digital skills training for older adults. Additionally, efforts should be accelerated to adapt electronic products to be more elder-friendly, helping older adults overcome the digital divide and thereby reducing health inequalities among middle-aged and older groups.

An Examination of Threats and Countermeasures Relating to Healthcare Cyber Risks: The Case of Kenyatta National Hospital

Background Africa has seen an exponential increase in internet penetration and ICT affordances since the turn of the twenty-first century. Healthcare institutions are scrambling to put in place the appropriate safeguards to protect their patients' data from unauthorized access since the need to protect private information has become critical, particularly for cybercriminals eyeing the data of medical patients. This thesis investigates cyber security threats and countermeasures in healthcare, with a focus on Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH). Given Africa's increased internet use and the critical need to protect patient data from cybercriminals, the study explores how data protection and cyber security influence healthcare delivery at the hospital.  Key Objectives To examine cyber threats and countermeasures employed by KNH as well as analyzing the impact of Kenya's Cybercrime Act.  Results The survey at Kenyatta National Hospital shows strong cybersecurity measures, with 89% having dedicated resources and 88% using computers regularly. Regarding the Kenya Cybercrime Act, 74% know how to detect and report hacks, though 8% have encountered malware and 12% lack basic malware knowledge. 78% have anti-virus software, and 63% verify email attachments, while knowledge of social engineering and email scams is limited, revealing a need for further education. The second objective looked at the impact of Kenya Cybercrime Act, as a local data protection laws on supporting patient- healthcare system at Kenyatta National Hospital. A significant majority, 74%, are aware of when their computer is hacked or infected and know whom to contact in such cases. The results also show that 79% of respondents have never encountered a virus or trojan on their computers. When opening email attachments, 63% of respondents always verify that the attachment is from a known and expected source. Knowledge of social engineering attacks is limited, with only 18% of respondents aware of these threats and 82% unfamiliar with them. Regarding email scams, 51% do not know what an email scam is or how to recognize one, underscoring a need for further training. Finally, while 85% of respondents believe their computers are not valuable to hackers, 15% recognize their potential as targets, reflecting differing perceptions of risk and emphasizing the need for ongoing cyber security education.

Internet use, dietary habits and adolescent obesity: evidence from China.

Thewidespread use ofInternet has substantially influenced adolescents' lifestyles. This paper systematically explored the impact of Internet use on adolescent obesity and unveiled the underlying mechanism in China. We discussed the relationship among Internet use, dietary habits and obesity, and estimated the impact using panel data collected by the China Health and Nutrition Survey. Results indicated that increased Internet use significantly raised the risk of obesity among adolescents bychanging their dietary habits. With a longer time of Internet use, adolescents wouldincrease more proportion of snacks, and choose food with higher fat and protein. This paper offers anew empirical evidence for understanding the mechanism of Internet use on adolescent obesity, and provides a reference for developing countries to guide adolescents toward moderateInternet useand lower the risk of obesity.

Human papillomavirus vaccination coverage among young women in the three sub-Saharan African countries using Demographic and Health Surveys data

ABSTRACT Cervical cancer is the fourth most common cancer, with 99% of cases linked to human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. It reflects global inequity as its burden is highest in low- and middle-income countries. The aim of this study was to determine the HPV vaccination coverage and its determinant factors among young women in the three sub-Saharan African countries. Data from the Demographic and Health Surveys among three sub-Saharan African countries were used for analysis. A total of 4,952 women were included in the study. Stata 14 was used to analyze the data. The determinants of the outcome variable were identified using a multilevel mixed-effects logistic regression model. Factors with p-values < 0.05 at 95% confidence interval were declared statistically significant. About 7.5% young women were vaccinated for HPV vaccine against cervical cancer in the current study. Younger age, use of internet, rich economic class, and individual-level media exposure were found to be favorable conditions, whereas being employed was negatively associated with HPV vaccination. Only few segments of young women in these three countries got HPV vaccination. The authors recommend that increasing internet use, media exposure, and economic level of young women will increase the HPV vaccination rates. Furthermore, creating awareness among employed women will also increase the possibility of HPV vaccination.

The Relationship Between Fast Food Consumption and Daily Lifestyle Changes During School Closures Following the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study Among Adolescents in Korea.

Increased fast food consumption can have adverse effects on health and well-being among adolescents, posing a significant public health concern. The school closures due to the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic have led to changes in eating patterns and disrupted a balance diet among adolescents. This study explored the factors associated with fast food consumption among adolescents during school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 1,710 middle and high school students in Gwangju, South Korea participated in a cross-sectional survey. The self-administered questionnaire included items assessing dietary intake, physical activity, sleep, media use, and sociodemographic information. The Patient Health Questonnaire-9, Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7, and three item version of the UCLA Loneliness Scale were also administered. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the factors associated with increased fast food consumption. Approximately 34.6% of the surveyed adolescents reported increased fast food consumption during school closures, as well as increased sleep duration, increased sedentary behaviors including watching TV and using the internet, and reduced physical activity. Multivariable logistic regression analysis revealed that fast food consumption during school closures was associated with irregular patterns of main meals and sleep, decreased physical activity, increased internet use, and a lack of daytime adult supervision. Our results highlight the need for dietary and lifestyle monitoring and guidelines to promote health among adolescents, especially during school closures. In conclusion, nutrition intervention programs aiming to limit fast food consumption and enhance healthy dietary habits among adolescents during long-term school closures are warranted.

Anxiety on the internet: Describing person, provider, and organization online posts

Anxiety is a pervasive phenomenon in contemporary society. With increased internet use in recent years, more people in the general population are seeking and providing help and participating in community online. The goal of our study was to evaluate the content of internet narratives among those who post about anxiety and determine what stakeholder groups are saying online. We used the bifurcated method; it is a multi-method (qualitative) approach with inductive, thematic analyses, and with quantification of content-related words via a computer program that crawls websites and counts the occurrences of specified terms (for cross-checking purposes). Themes of posts and webpages about anxiety were: using/reporting treatment strategies (83.3% saturation), providing help (77.8% saturation), telling personal stories (72.2% saturation), seeking help (61.1% saturation), and illustrating interpersonal impact (50% saturation). We argue that anxiety stakeholders may take part in health co-inquiry online (i.e., cooperating with others) in many of the same ways that they might collaborate in person. We recommend that clinicians query their clients about use of the internet in ways related to their anxiety (e.g., seeking information/treatment strategies, offering help to others, telling their personal stories, etc.) so that they might help them process what they experience online.

Exploring the Evolution and Impact: A Research Inquiry into the Decade of Digital Journalism in India

The rise of the digital era in journalism increased with the blossoming of electronic communication tools and platforms. The news organisations have discovered an overabundance of new opportunities in information delivery, as well as the challenge of interweaving data privacy and security with innovation. As of now, as many as 80% of Indians consume news on the Internet, primarily through the social media and instant-messaging services. The large-scale use of services like Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube has allowed news organisations to offer regular updates to consumers on current events, bypassing barriers of time and accessibility. India’s large and thriving news media is going digital. Spurred by an exponential increase in Internet use and digital advertising, a number of digital journalism startups have been established in recent years.

Prevalence and factors associated with cyberbullying among adolescents (15-19 years) in Gurugram District - A community based cross-sectional study.

Digitalization in the form of increased Internet use through screen media has also shown its ramification like cyberbullying. They are aggressive acts with the intention or motivation to harm another person through technology. The aim is to study the prevalence of cyberbullying and its association with mental illness in the adolescent age group (15-19 years). This community-based cross-sectional study was rolled out among adolescents aged 15-19 years. A total of 387 were given a semistructured interviewer-administered questionnaire consisting of general details, cyberbullying victimization, and offending questions, PHQ-9 and GAD-7. The mean (SD) age was 16.8 (1.3) years. More than half (53.2%) were males, and nearly three-fourths (74.4%) were school-going. Around 28.2% reported being cyberbullied at least once in their lifetime. About 7.0% of adolescents were cyberbullied more than once, and 0.8% more than five times in the past 30 days. The most common ways were posting a mean or hurtful picture (31.9%) and the concerned person's comments (24.2%) online. Multivariable logistic regression analysis found that adolescents attending colleges (AOR 1.9, 95% CI 1.1 to 3.4), using tobacco (AOR 2.5, 95% CI 1.4 to 4.5), and depressed (of any severity, AOR 2.0, 95% CI 1.1 to 4.3) were at significantly increased risk of being cyberbullied (P < 0.05). The prevalence of cyberbullying among adolescents aged 15-19 is notable, with significant associations found between cyberbullying and attending college, tobacco use, and depression. Understanding the correlates of cyberbullying can inform targeted interventions to support mental health and well-being among adolescents.

What is infodemiology? An overview and its role in public health.

The exponential increase in internet use and the consequent surge in data generation present both opportunities and challenges for public health. Infodemiology, an emerging field at the intersection of information science and public health, seeks to harness the vast amounts of health-related data generated online for public health benefits. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of infodemiology, examining its development, methodologies, and potential to address public health challenges. We discuss the role of infodemiology in identifying and mitigating the spread of misinformation, especially in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, which underscored the dangers of the "infodemic" - an overabundance of information, both accurate and not, that complicates public health responses. Through both demand and supply-based studies, infodemiology offers unique insights into health trends, misinformation dynamics, and the digital behaviors of health information seekers. Tools such as sentiment analysis are highlighted as essential in navigating the vast digital landscape for real-time health data analysis. Despite the potential of infodemiology, challenges such as data overload or misinformation. The paper concludes by emphasizing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration, the development of advanced analytical tools, and the need for guidelines to maximize the field's impact on public health policy and practice.

SCHOOL COUNSELORS’ SELF-EFFICACY IN ADDRESSING ADOLESCENTS’ MENTAL ISSUES IN THE AFTER-COVID-19 ERA

The unanticipated arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic has upset thousands of adolescents worldwide, whereas shifts to remote schooling have minimized their access to school-based support. This study focused on three research questions: How do School Counselors (a) evaluate the impact of COVID-19 restrictive measures on adolescents' mental health? (b) appraise their self-efficacy to help adolescents cope with the challenges? (c) Assess post-pandemic pupil behavior and their self-efficacy beliefs. It aimed to resource creative school-counseling approaches to improve youth resilience. Findings showed that counselors regarded generalized worry, concern about academic studies and job development, and increasing internet use as adolescents' most important psychological/behavioral issues. Most counselors felt efficient in their professional development, teamwork, cross-cultural sensitivity, leadership, assessment, personal and social growth, and development. Counselors who evaluated pupils as high/medium in generalized anxiety, depressive symptoms, academic/career development, and excessive internet time evaluated themselves significantly higher on all factors of the self-efficacy scale compared to those who assessed students as medium/low on the aforementioned factors, who scored significantly lower in self-efficacy.

Paucity of Online Information About Gender-Affirming Surgery Fellowships in the United States.

Despite growing demand for gender-affirming surgery (GAS), there are few formal GAS fellowships in the United States. Paucity of online information about GAS fellowships may discourage potential applicants and decrease the visibility of the field. Thus, it is important to analyze the existing online information about GAS fellowships to improve fellow recruitment and patient outcomes. To identify the number of GAS fellowship websites (GASFWs) and evaluate their robustness. Second, to report the social media presence of GAS fellowships. To identify GASFWs, existing databases sponsored by plastic surgery associations and Google query were used between April and May 2023. Thirty-five independent variables based on previously published data were evaluated for presence in a bivariate fashion on GASFWs. Accounts on popular social media websites were also identified by Google query. Website and social media analysis were also done for GAS fellowships that were offered by departments/specialties other than plastic surgery. In total, only 6 GASFWs associated with plastic surgery departments were identified and analyzed. Eight nonplastic surgery GASFWs were included for analysis. Overall, both categories of GASFWs were not robust; key information such as previous fellow listing and selection criteria was often missing. Furthermore, important topics specifically related to GAS such as community engagement and programmatic building are often not found on GASFWs either. In addition, none of the fellowships had any independent Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. To ensure patient safety and quality outcomes, it is important to promote GAS by recruiting more applicants for specialized training beyond residency. With increased Internet use, improving GASFWs and social media presence as well as considering the use of a centralized database or match system can foster the growth of the field.

Evaluation of the Relationship of Internet Addiction with Academic Success and Grit.

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of internet addiction, an ever-increasing phenomenon, on success and grit in academics. This descriptive cross-sectional study was completed by reaching participants on social media platforms, using socio-demographic information, grade point averages (GPA), internet addiction scale, and the academic grit scale. No difference was found between the median scores of GPA, the academic grit scale, and the internet addiction scale according to the field of study (p-values = 0.360, 0.539, and 0.170, respectively). There was a difference between the median scores of the academic grit scale according to gender (p=0.025). There was also a statistically significant positive and very weak relationship between the grade point average and the academic grit scale (r=0. 096 and p=0.041). Therefore, when there is a desire to increase academic success and academic grit, different methods should be considered rather than increasing internet use and thus addiction. Key Words: Academic success, Grit, Internet, Internet addiction.

Social Media: A notable cause of child burns

ObjectiveScalding and flame burns come first in the etiology of pediatric burns. Today, with the increase in internet use, the effect of social media on the etiology of burns is also seen. When the story of some children who applied for burns was questioned recently, it was observed that the children were affected by various images, videos, and duels on social media. They wanted to try what they saw with a sense of curiosity. This study aims to draw attention to child burns caused by social media's effects and raise awareness about their preventability. MethodsChildren who stated that they got burned because of watching social media in our burn center within one year were included in the study retrospectively. Children's age, gender, burning pattern, and graft needs were evaluated. ResultsIn one year, eight patients (three girls and five boys) were admitted to the hospital with the complaint of burns caused by the effect of social media. All of them were flame burns. The ages of these patients were between 6 and 12 years, and their burn percentage was between 1 and 12. Grafts were performed in 4 patients. Three recovered with dressings after debridement, and one improved during outpatient follow-up. The hospitalization period of 7 patients who received inpatient treatment was recorded to be between 1 and 15 days. ConclusionsChildren's access to the Internet at an early age and unsupervised exposes them to many dangers, including burns. These burns can have serious consequences, such as hospitalization and graft needs. Steps should be taken to recognize and prevent the threat of social media. The study was presented as an oral presentation at the 39th National Congress of Pediatric Surgery held in İzmir/Kuşadası/Türkiye on 2–5 November 2022.

COVID-19 Increased Mortality Salience, Collectivism, and Subsistence Activities: A Theory-Driven Analysis of Online Adaptation in the United States, Indonesia, Mexico, and Japan

How does a life-threatening pandemic affect a culture? The Theory of Social Change, Cultural Evolution, and Human Development predicts that danger, as indicated by rising death rates and narrowing social worlds, shifts human psychology and behavior toward that found in small-scale, collectivistic, and rural subsistence ecologies. In particular, mortality salience, collectivism, and engagement in subsistence activities should increase as death rates rise and the social world retracts. Studies on the psychological response to the pandemic in the United States confirmed these predicted increases. The present study sought to generalize these previous findings by comparing the frequency of conceptually relevant linguistic terms used in Google searches and Twitter posts in the United States, Japan, Indonesia, and Mexico for 30 days before the coronavirus pandemic began in each country with frequencies of the same terms for 30 days after. Generally, we found that mortality salience increased to the extent that countries experienced excess COVID mortality; collectivism increased to the extent that countries experienced excess COVID mortality and increased mortality salience; and subsistence activities increased to the extent that countries experienced excess COVID mortality and/or stay-at-home-policies. Almost all these increases went beyond the general increase in internet use, which was a control variable in all analyses. These findings support a growing body of research documenting a human response to ecological danger.

Examining the interplay between internet use disorder tendencies and well-being in relation to sofalizing during the COVID-19 pandemic

AimsThe present study investigated the potential links between Internet Use Disorder tendencies, well-being and the impact of COVID-19 on Internet usage patterns. MethodA sample of 2498 participants filled out the Compulsive Internet Use Scale (CIUS), the Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS; the cognitive facet of well-being) and the Sofalizing Scale which comprises the Online Displacement and Social Compensation dimensions. Participants were also asked to report the extent to which changes in Internet use occurred due to COVID-19 pandemic (i.e., reductions, no changes, increases). The present study comprised a survey study with cross-sectional character. ResultsThe statistical analyses demonstrated that the aforementioned variables were robustly associated with each other. In a first mediation model, the association between higher levels of Internet Use Disorder and reduced well-being was partially mediated by the two dimensions of the Sofalizing scale called Online Displacement and Social Compensation. The results of the second mediation model showed that the relationship between changes in Internet use due to COVID-19 pandemic and well-being was fully mediated by CIUS scores, suggesting that increased Internet use due to the COVID-19 pandemic increased levels of Internet Use Disorder tendencies, which in turn decreased levels of well-being. DiscussionThe findings are discussed in the context of human social needs in a time of crisis, where meeting people in-person was restricted.

Does the use of the internet enhance residents’ well-being?—Evidence from China

Using data from the 2018 Chinese General Social Survey (CGSS), this study empirically examined the impact of Chinese residents’ Internet use on their subjective well-being. The results show that Internet use significantly increases residents’ subjective well-being; the results of the marginal effect show that the increase in Internet use increases the probability of residents choosing “Relatively happy” and “Extremely happy”; further analysis shows that Internet use increases the probability of residents choosing “Relatively happy” and “Extremely happy” through the marginal effect. “Moreover, in the heterogeneity analysis, Internet use significantly increases the subjective happiness of middle-aged people aged 35–60, and increases the subjective happiness of low-education and low-income groups, while rural residents have higher subjective well-being from Internet use relative to urban residents. This study mitigates the estimation bias that may be caused by the sample self-selection problem through propensity score matching (PSM), and conducts a series of robustness tests on the empirical results. Therefore, the government should emphasize the role of Internet use in enhancing residents’ happiness and promoting the happiness effect of Internet use by further improving Internet infrastructure and upgrading residents’ Internet use skills.

Sindrom patološkog socijalnog povlačenja i paradoks novih tehnologija

The concept of the "Fourth Industrial Revolution" highlights its transformative impact on industries and society through technologies like artificial intelligence and robotics, which blur the lines between the physical, digital, and biological realms. This extends into the psychological realm, prompting questions about our ability to adapt to rapid technological changes. "Hikikomori" (Japanese) or pathological social withdrawal, a condition, characterized by an extreme form of social isolation, was first recognized in Japan. While initially seen as culturally specific, hikikomori has become a global issue. Early developmental factors such as family dynamics and later environmental factors and stressors contribute to this condition, while the role of technology, including increased internet use, is not completely clear. We explore here the relationship between technological advances and pathological social withdrawal and the hypothetical dual role of these advances-promoting isolation on one hand, and offering potential therapeutic benefits on the other.

Internet use time and subjective well-being during the COVID-19 outbreak: serial mediation of problematic internet use and self-esteem

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) outbreak is a threat to adolescents’ mental health and livelihoods, and lowers their subjective well-being (SWB). Expanding on previous literatures, this study examined whether internet use time was related to SWB and whether this relationship was mediated by problematic internet use (PIU) and self-esteem during the COVID-19 outbreak. In Taiwan, the COVID-19 epidemic broke out in February, 2020. During March 2 to 27, this study recruited a total of 1,060 adolescents from junior high schools by both stratified and cluster sampling, and administered a comprehensive investigation. The results displayed that SWB was significantly and negatively predicted by internet use time. PIU fully mediated the relationship. Moreover, PIU predicted a decrease of self-esteem, which played a full mediation role between PIU and SWB. The results provide evidence in explaining how increased internet use time is associated with a greater level of PIU, which relates to lower self-esteem, correlating with lower SWB in adolescents. This study can provide reference to mental health organizations and educational agencies to design appropriate SWB promotion programs for the junior high school population in terms of epidemic prevention.

How does early-life famine experience influence household energy transition?

The transition of households towards cleaner energy is crucial for achieving sustainable development goals. However, the impacts and associated mechanisms of early-life experiences on household energy transition have not been considered. Based on data from the 2015 Chinese General Social Survey, this study aimed to investigate whether people experiencing China's Great Famine (1959–1961) in their early life promoted household energy transition in adulthood. The varying severity of the Great Famine in different provinces was characterised as a quasi-natural experiment and was used to perform difference-in-differences (DID) estimation analysis for birth cohorts. The results showed that the transitions from firewood, agricultural waste, and animal waste to liquefied petroleum gas and electricity were significant in households with the Great Famine experiences. Specifically, the long-term energy transition effect of the famine was exhibited mostly in those who experienced the famine during childhood (4–11 years old) and adolescence (12–17 years old). Besides, early-life famine experiences led to poor physical health, and more modern forms of energy, such as electricity, were consumed to avoid further deteriorating health. Early-life famine experience also brought psychological trauma to people at that time, which led them to increase Internet use to gain emotional support, and the increased Internet use provided better access to information about the energy transition. Moreover, the household energy transition influenced by early-life famine experience occurred more in female-headed, rural, more educated, and low-income households. Our results illustrated the role of early-life famine experience in household energy transition and provided new insights into developing effective energy policies.